SkyWest pilots OK strike

NEW YORK — The pilots of a SkyWest Inc. unit voted to authorize a strike if long-standing contract talks don't result in an agreement.

The Atlantic Southeast Airlines pilots, who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association International, said more than 92 percent of the responding pilots voted in favor of the measure.

SkyWest, based in St. George, flies regional jets for Delta Connection flights for Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Express flights for United Airlines, a unit of UAL Corp.

Delta sold Atlantic Southeast to SkyWest, a nonunion carrier, prior to Delta's filing for bankruptcy in September.

Atlantic Southeast operates throughout the United States, mainly as a Delta Connection feeder airline for Delta's Atlanta hub.

John Perkinson, a spokesman at Atlantic Southeast, said the union isn't currently in negotiations with SkyWest but hopes to return to the bargaining table soon.

Contract talks began nearly four years ago, Perkinson said. Some major issues, including compensation and retirement benefits, have yet to be ironed out, the spokesman said.

In a prepared statement, Capt. David Nieuwenhuis, chairman of the ASA pilots' Master Executive Council, said the pilots' proposals are "more than reasonable."

"ASA management has strung out these negotiations for far too long," Nieuwenhuis said. "It's way past the time to have a deal. With this strike authorization vote, our pilots are sending a clear message that we've had it with this nonsense. When the appropriate time comes, we're ready to take the next step."

A spokesman for SkyWest couldn't be reached for comment.

SkyWest shares fell 61 cents, or 2.4 percent, to close at $24.55 on the Nasdaq Stock Market.